This was a big loss for the Everblades considering the Cyclones came into the game two points behind Florida for seventh in the East. Both teams are barely hanging on to a playoff spot. Sebastien Piche, who was acquired by the Lightning from the Red Wings organization earlier this week, made his debut for Florida. Piche, who had 33 points for ECHL Toledo last year in 48 games, was playing his first ECHL game this season. He played in 22 contests for AHL Grand Rapids, registering three assists. He provides Florida with offense from the backline and gives AHL Norfolk some defensive depth for their impending playoff run.

Alex Hutchings had his six game point streak snapped and Pat Nagle had his three game win streak broken. Florida plays in Chicago Saturday night.

It was another good night for Lightning prospects and draftees in southwest Florida. One night after Hutchings, Kevin Quick, and Nagle were the gameâ€™s three stars, Lightning prospect Charles Landry was first star, followed by Nagle and Hutchings after the â€˜Blades topped the Stingrays in overtime. Hutchings had the game winner for Florida and set up Landry for Landryâ€™s second professional goal. Landryâ€™s goal was scored when his slap shot from the point found its way to the back of the net. Hutchings scored from a knee while banging in a rebound with 2:17 to go in overtime. He has 10 points (four goals) in six games since he came back from missing three months with an injury. Considering his strong start to the year, one wonders if he wouldnâ€™t be in AHL Norfolk now if it wasnâ€™t for the injury. Not to be forgotten, Nagle was only beat on a breakaway that occurred when Florida got caught in a line change. He has three straight wins. Florida won four of five from South Carolina over the last two weeks. They are now four points behind the Stingrays in the South Division and remain four points up on Cincinnati as the Eastâ€™s seventh seed. (Photo courtesy of swamphockey.com)

It was a good night for Lightning prospects and draftees in southwest Florida. Alex Hutchings (pictured) continued his torrid pace since missing nearly three months because of an injury, scoring twice in a 4-1 win. He has eight points (three goals) in five games since he came back. Former Lightning draftee Kevin Quick, who is under contract with AHL Norfolk, had two assists and was named second star to Hutchingsâ€™ first star. Lightning prospect goaltender Pat Nagle was solid in net, stopping 34 shots for his second win in a row. Florida has played the Stingrays four consecutive games and the two play each other again Saturday night at the Everbladesâ€™ rink. Florida leads the mini-series 3-1 and is now just five points back of South Carolina for third in the South Division. Florida has two games in hand. They are now four points up on Cincinnati for the Eastern Conferenceâ€™s seventh seed, though the Cyclones have six games in hand on the â€˜Blades.

Playing the Stingrays for the third game in a row, the Everblades scored twice in the third period and once in overtime to take Game 3 of their mini-series. The overtime winner came from former Montreal Canadiens first rounder David Fischer. Lightning prospect Alex Hutchings had the primary assist. The Everblades tied the game with about a minute left in regulation. Florida has two wins over South Carolina in the last week. Hutchings was playing his first game at home since November and has at least a point in all four games since returning from a serious upper-body injury. He is now back to a point-per-game pace. Pat Nagle got his first start in six days and earned his first win since he beat Chicago on January 11.

Looking for their second win a row in South Carolina, Florida skated out to a 3-0 lead but gave up three third period goals and lost 4-3. They were outshot 50-27 in the game, including 20-8 in the third period. Lightning prospect Pat Nagle sat for the second straight game. Congratulations to Charles Landry (pictured), who scored his first professional goal. The â€˜Blades fell eight points behind South Carolina for third in the four-team South Division. They are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, one point ahead of Cincinnati, who has a whopping five games in hand on the Everblades. Florida has 22 games left.